‘Metal Gear Solid’ Movie In Works From Zach Lipovsky & Adam B. Stein

Following their breakout year with Final Destination Bloodlines, directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein have set up another new high-profile project, Deadline can confirm. It’s a Metal Gear Solid movie, based on the stealth-action video game franchise from Hideo Kojima, that they’ll develop for Columbia Pictures, under a new first-look producing deal for Sony covering all studio labels.

The Metal Gear Solid movie will be the first ever. Avi Arad and Ari Arad are set to produce. Under the deal, Lipovsky and Stein’s new company, Wonderlab, will develop films for the duo to direct and original projects that they will produce for other directors. As previously reported, the pair are also developing an animated Venom movie for Sony Pictures Animation, as well as sci-fi epic The Earthling for Columbia Pictures, which they are producing alongside Eric Heisserer and Scott Glassgold.

Wonderlab’s focus will be creating wildly fun, commercial, character-driven, genre-bending films. Lipovsky and Stein are currently meeting executives to help lead the company.

“Zach and Adam are thrilling storytellers, masters of visuals and suspense, and two of the most impressive director/producers working today,” said Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Sanford Panitch. “With projects across all the company’s film labels, we are so happy to create a home for them, and proud to have them as part of the Sony family.”

Said Lipovsky and Stein, “We are honored to be partnering with the incredible executive team at Sony. While working with several Sony teams in the last year, we’ve been blown away by the level of creativity, thoughtfulness, and passion we felt in every conversation. We share the vision that Tom, Sanford, Peter, Louie, Kristine and Damien, Ashley and the whole Sony team have for creating theatrical event films that entertain the world.”

Regarding Metal Gear Solid, the directors said, “As long term fans of the game, we are thrilled and honored to bring Hideo Kojima’s iconic characters and unforgettable world to life.”

Lipovsky and Stein were the talk of the town last year with Final Destinations Bloodlines, which drew critical raves and came in as the highest grossing installment in a revitalized franchise. Other upcoming projects for the duo include The Traveler for Paramount, Gremlins 3 for Warner Bros., Long Lost for Universal/Amblin, and a sequel to their cult favorite indie sci-fi film Freaks on which they’ve wrapped production.

 THR was first to today’s news.